Mrs. Arp’s
4th Grade
Disclosure Document
Dear Family,
I
am excited to start a new year with your child. There are so many learning
opportunities and experiences that await us. I love being a teacher because I
love helping each student construct understanding and knowledge. That is why
one of my goals is to build a strong relationship with each child and you. As we work together we will ensure your child’s success. To have a
great year, I am committed to providing a positive learning environment with
high expectations, consistent structure, friendship building, and engaging
instruction.
HIGH
EXPECTATIONS: I
expect students to behave in a way that will not be a problem for anyone in our
school and class.
BE RESPECTFUL
1. Speak
positive words to and about self and others.
2. Protect
& value self, others, & property.
3. Wait
your turn.
4. Absolutely
No Bullying!
BE RESPONSIBLE
1. Active
listening and learning with hands, eyes, and mind.
2. Complete
& turn in all class work & homework.
3. Be
a team player!
I
know you support your child’s academic pursuits as best as you can. Some things
you can do at home for a successful year are:
1. Read
with your child.
2. Study
multiplication & division facts.
3. Check
your child’s planner every night for homework.
4. Refer
to my blog mrsmarp.blogspot.com (Here you will find weekly homework
information, announcements, upcoming events, and helpful links. Warning: It is
a work in progress!)
READING: Students
will be part of a balanced literacy program including shared reading, fluency,
guided reading, word work, and comprehension strategies and skills. Most
importantly, to become fluent and strong readers each student chooses his or
her own books to read as well as those assigned. Your child receives a grade
for Reading Workshop assignments and participation in class and reading homework.
GRADED READING HOMEWORK
1. Daily Home Reading: To become fluent and
strong readers students are required to read 20 minutes a day at home or 120 minutes
weekly. Each child is required to record the number of minutes read from the
prior weekend and week as well as get parent(s) signature in the planner once a
week on Thursday.
2. Trimester Book
Reports: Your child will have
the opportunity to be creative and complete 3 book reports this year, one per trimester.
The book will need to be at least 100 pages. I will pass out directions for each
specific book report at the beginning of September, December, and mid March as well as post on them on the blog. Please help by making sure your child completes
the book reports. He or she will receive grades.
WRITING &
GRAMMAR: Writing
is taught and practiced daily. I use two programs called Step Up to Writing and Frame Your Thoughts. Students will learn
and implement the steps of the writing process: pre-writing, drafting,
revising, editing, and publishing. They will also have mini lessons
that will include the six traits of writing (ideas, organization, voice, word
choice, conventions, & sentence fluency) and grammar. Your child will
receive grades based upon class assignments and rubrics for each published
piece. Rubrics will be given to each student, modeled and practice together
before he or she publishes independently for a grade.
GRADED WRITING
HOMEWORK: Monthly, expect to
see your child’s writing come home. What I ask is that together you edit it. I
will also be providing input in the editing process before this final edit just
before publishing, but I solicit your help with this process prior to final printing.
MATH: I
teach math using My Math and other
supportive exploratory tasks. Your child will have the opportunity to complete
class assignments and participate in discussion and group work. I want
every child to pass off times & division tables through 12’s. Benchmark and
master test will be given weekly and at the end of each unit.
GRADED MATH HOMEWORK:
Your child is required to
study multiplication now and later division facts, and complete 3 days of homework per week. Your
child will be graded for 3 days of math homework, class assignments, quizzes
and tests.
SOCIAL
STUDIES: We
will be studying Utah history to present day. We will use the text Utah Our Home. Your child receives grades from class assignments & participation. Please let me know of
your skills and knowledge that you wish to share.
HEALTH: We
will have one unit about health. Your child will receive a participation grade.
SCIENCE: We
study the Utah State Core Curriculum for science. The topics include
environments, classification, rocks & minerals, soil, weather, water cycle,
and fossils. Your child’s grade is from class assignments & participation.
Please let me know of your skills and knowledge that you wish to share.
ATTENDANCE: Students make the most progress when they
attend school regularly. Please send your child to school, unless he or she is
ill.
SAGE
TESTING: Students take
assessments for language arts, science, and math each year in the spring.
SKYWARD: You may access your child’s grades and test
scores through Skyward. I hope to be prompt in entering grades. I
encourage you to view your child’s progress.
BIRTHDAYS: Each child’s birthday will be recognized in
class. We are a tree nut free classroom. Your child is welcome to bring a birthday treat; however, this is not
required. July and August birthdays will be celebrated in August, and June
birthdays in May. School policy does not allow edible homemade treats. It
generally works best if the student brings the treat to school with them in the
morning.
BOOK ORDERS: Book orders will be sent home
periodically so you may buy quality-reading material at a reasonable
price. Book orders are optional. Pay online to the
company or write a check. Make checks payable to the book company you’re
ordering from.
DONATIONS: You are NOT required to donate any supplies
or money. IF you are able to contribute to class fund and field trips it is
greatly appreciated.
Communication
between the home and school is essential. Please do not hesitate to
contact me via phone or email with any questions or concerns. Thanks for all
you do as parents! A magical new journey is about to begin!
Melanie Arp
Email: marp@alpinedistrict.org
Work: (801)
610-8722, ext 118
Blog:
mrsmarp.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment